Index



I. H. RAND.

iNDEX.

APPLICATION HLED 00T- IO. 1911- I 1 ,31 1 ,771 Patented July 29, 1919.

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J. H. RAND.

INDEX.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 10. I917- Patented July 29, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- fiwevvior:

llll lllL ll'lllul Illlrll|illlnllllll l lfllllllllllll llllL JAMES H. BAND, 0! NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

INDEX. j r

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 29, 1919.

Application filed October 10, 1917. Serial No. 195,700.

T a all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. RAND, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Indexes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to card" indexes, and more particularly to card indexes of the overlapping card, visible index type, wherein the cards are mounted in a frame one in front of another with their margins exposed to view.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention,

Figure 1 is a face view of a part of an index containing the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of a series or group of the card holders and cards removed from the frame to show the manner in which they are assembled or nested;

Fig. 3 is a face view of one of the card holders without the card;

Fig. 4 is a face view of one of the card holders with the card inserted;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of one of the card holders;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail in section on line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail in section on line 77 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail in section on line 88 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a section on line 99 of Fig. 2'

Fig. 10 is a section on line 10-10 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 1;

Figh12 is a face view of an alternative forljn of card holder with the card inserted; and

Fin. 13 is a rear view of a series or group of assembled card holders and cards, of the form shown in Fig. 12. V

The frame or panel A is preferably ,inade of sheet metal and is provided with the in-; wardly turned flanges. a, .usualin indexes of the type generally called visible indexes, to form guide channels for retaining thecard holders. 5

Referring first to theform shown in Figs. 1 to 11, each card holder com rises a sheet B of cardboard, paper, sheet ce luloid or other suitable flexible and resilient sheet material having a pair of ears or projections b, b,

adjacent to one edge of the sheet, which fit into the guide channels of the frame formed by the flange a, a. The ears b are inserted into or withdrawn from the channels by bending or springing the body of the card holder away from the frame, thereby drawing the two cars toward each other. The

body of each card holder is narrower than the distance between the flanges a, a, so that when the card holder is mounted in the frame the part of the card holder above or beyond the ears I), b, is free to be bent or deflected from the face of the frame for the purpose of inspecting underlying cards as hereinafter explained.

At the upper edge of each card holder is a sheath 1) of transparent sheet material such as sheet celluloid, forming a bent over retainin lip for engaging one edge of the removab e card or insert C, and also serving as a protective sheath for the exposed and indexed margin of the card when the device is assembled and in use. At the lower edge is another bent over retainin lip b for engaging the opposite edge 0 the card C. The sheath 1) and 1i 6 are both bent over the edge of the car holder and secured to the back side thereof, as shown.

The same margin of the card holder on which is the lip 12 is notched or recessed, as shown at b b and in each recess is secured a bent over tab 1) which projects from the rear side of the card holder, and, being folded around the edge of the recess, is fastened to the front side of the card holder.

While the hp 6 and the tabs 6* may be of.

any suitable material, they are preferably of sheet celluloid which is durable and sulficiently stifl' to retain its folded sha e, and at the same time is resilient. It w' 1 also be understood that these parts might be made integrally of the same sheet material as the body of the card holder. Similarly, if the card holder B is made of sheet celluloid or other transparent, resilient material, the sheath 7) might be made integrally of the same material; but when the card holderB is made of non-transparent material such as cardboard, the sheath should. be made separately of other material, and attached as shown, in order to provide a transparent covering which will show the indexed marginso fthecards C. a

The frame A is. made with lengthwise ex tending grooves or channels? a" arranged to receive the tabs 1/ which project from the rear of the card holders, thus permitting the overlapped, nested index elements to lie llal against lhe frame bach. These grooves u? may be formed by spaced strips a secured to the flat back of frame A; or the grooves might be stamped into the sheet metal of frame A itself. The presence of such grooves however is by no means essential, and an ordinary flat back frame may be used.

When a card C is held in a card holder by the sheath or lip b and the retaining lip 11, it extends across the recesses 7), and the card holder and card form together a composite' index element of substantially rectangular form with projecting ears I) as best illustrated in Fi 4. A series of such ele ments is nested in overlapped spaced relation, the lower edge of each card where it spans the recesses 6 resting on the upwardly bent tabs 1), 7) of the next card holder below and in front. Thus the exposed margins of the cards are spaced according to the distance between the bottom edge of the card (I and the inner end of the recesses I), and each card together with its card holder is supported in spaced relation by the tabs of the next adjacent card holder, while the nested series is supported in the frame by the ears 5, b. The recesses b of each card holder provide a space to receive the tabs b of the next holder below, thus contributing to produce a very flat and compact structure.

If it is desired to inspect any card in the series, the next lower card holder and card may simply be bent forward, which of course also bends forward the next few adjacent card holders, thus exposing the de sired card to view; and as soon as the deflected cards are released they will snap back into their normal position flatwise of the frame by reason of their own resiliency- Or, all of the series of card holders above or below that holding the card to be inspected may be slid lengthwise of the frame thus separating the series into two groups and exposing the desired card. The ears 5 slidingin guide channels a, aided by the tabs 6 sliding in grooves a when such grooves are used, serve to guide the card holders in their movement lengthwise of the frame, and to prevent their twisting or cramping in the frame. V

In the form shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the card holder B" has laterally projecting ears b,,b fitting into the glide channels a of the frame, a retaining lip and protective sheath b, and supporting and spacingtabs 5, I)", as'iri'the other form. The retaining lip 6 at the edge 0 .posite lip b, for engaging the lower edge 0 the card C, is cut out from the body of the card hol er. And the notches or recesses in which t e supporting tabs 6 are secured, have beveled or flaring open ends as shown at O. This construction is desirable in this form of the invention because the card C does not extend to the extreme edge of the card holder and in asscm bling or nesting the parts, the bevels b guide the card holder into correct position on the su porting tabs 7) of the next card below, without danger of the corners of the recess catching. The card holder and card together form a composite index element substantially rectangular, with projecting ears, as before, excepting that the recesses of the card holder are not wholly covered by the card.

With this invention an ordinary card file such as is usually contained in a tray or drawer may readily be converted into a visible type of index by simply trans fer-ring the cards to the card holders without any change of form, or the application of special attachments, or any other adaptation whatever, thus avoiding the necessity of trans ferring the entries to special forms of cards for visible indexes, in case it is desired to transform a common card'index into a visible index. The index is also exceedingly llat and compact, the broad retaining ears 71 holding the index elements almost parallel with the frame and the resiliency of each card holder tending to press not only itself but all. underlying card holders flatwise of the frame.

Although the preferred form of the invention will have a pair of supporting and spacing tabs 6 in a pair of recesses in the card holder, and a single card retaining lip, 7r or 6, between them, it will be understood that there might be one or more such tabs 7), and more than one card retaining lip, and these parts might be arranged in different relation, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The term card is used throughout the specification and claims to denote any sheet material of whatever weight or thickness, and not used in the more limited sense of a comparatively thick pasteboard sheet.

I claim:

1. A card index comprising a frame having inwardly facing guide channels, and a series of index elements having laterally extending ears which fit into the guide channels. and supporting tabs projecting substantially flatwise from the body of the in dex elements adapted respectively to engage the edges'of the next adjacent elements and to hold the index elements in overlapped, spaced relation, the back of the frame having lengthwise extending grooves to receive the supporting tabs.

2. A card indexcomprising a frame having inwardly facing guide channels, a series of'card holders of sheet lfl'littel'lal, each having a pair of laterally extending ears fitting into the guide channels, said card holders having one or more recesses in one nun-gin, supporting tabs projecting from the body of the card holders near the inner edges of the recesses, and cards detachably mounted on the card holders and overlying said recesses, said tabs respectively engaging the edges of the cards which span the recesses of :uljacentmard holders, thereby holding the cards and card holders in overlapped, spaced relation.

3. A card index comprising a frame having inwardly facing guide channels, a series of card holders of sheet material, each having a pair of laterally extending ears fitting into the guide channels, said card holders having a pair of recesses in one margin, a pair of supporting tabs projecting from the body of the card holders near the inner edges of the recesses, and cards detachably mounted on the card holders and overlying said recesses, said tabs respectively en aging the edges of the cards which span t 1e recesses ol adjacent card holders, thereby holding the cards and card holders in overlapped, spaced relation.

4. A card index comprising a frame hav ing inwardly facing guide channels, a series of card holders of sheet material, each having a pair of laterally extending ears fitting into the guide channels, said card holders having one or more recesses in one margin, supporting tabs projectin from the body of the card holders near inner edges of the recesses, card retainin lips at the oppo site ed es of said card holders, and cards detachab y mounted on the card holders by means of said lips and overlying said rccesscs, said tabs respectively engaging the edges of the cards which span the recesses of adjacent card holders, thereby holding the cards and card holders in overlapped, spaced relation.

5. A card index comprising a frame having inwardly facing guide channels, a series of card holders of sheet material, each having a air of laterally extending ears fitting into .t e guide channels, said card holders havi cr a pair of recesses in one margin, 21 pair 0 supporting tabs projecting from the a body of the card holders near the inner edges ofthe recesses, a card retaining lip on the edge of each cardholder between said recesses, a card retaining lip on the opposite edge of each card holder, and cards detachablymounted on the card holders by means of said lips and overlying said recesses, said tabs respectively engaging the edges of the cards which span the recesses of adjacent card holders, thereby holding the cards and card holders in overlapped, spaced relation.

6. A card index comprising a frame having inwardly facing guide channels, a series of card holders of sheet material, each having a pair of laterally extending ears fitting:

into the guide channels, said card holders having one or more recesses in one margin, supporting tabs of sheet material folded over the inner edges of the recesses and se cured to the body oi? the card holders, and cards detachably mounted on the card hold ms and overlying said recesses, said tabs respectively engaging the edges of the cards which span the recesses of adjacent card holders, thereby holding the cards and card holders in overlappral, spaced relation.

7. A card index comprising a frame having inwardly facing guide channels, a series of card holders of sheet material, each having a pair of laterally extending ears fitting into the guide channels, t id card holders having one or more recess in one margin, supporting tabs of sheet material folded over the inner edges of the recesses and secured to the body of the card holders, card retaining lips at the opposite edges of said card holders, and cards detruzliahly mounted on the card holders by means of said lips and overlying said recesses, said tabs respecti rely engaging the edges of the cards which span the recesses of adjacent card holders, thereby holding the cards and card holders in overlapped, spaced relation.

8. A card index comprising a frame having inwardly facing gulde channels, a series of card holders of sheet material, each having a pair of laterally extending ears fitting into the guide channels, said card holders having one or more recesses having flaring open ends in one margin, supporting tabs projecting from the body of the card holders near the inner edges of the recesses, and cards detachably mounted on the card holders and overlying part of said recesses, said tabs respectively engaging the edges of the cards which span the recesses of adjacent card holders, thereby holding the cards and card holders in overlapped, spaced relation.

9. A card index comprising a frame hav ing inwardly facing guide channels, a series of card holders of sheet material, each having a pair of laterally extending ears fitting into the guide channels, said card holders having one or more recesses having flaring open ends in one margin, supporting tabs projecting1 from the body of the card holders near t e inner edges of the recesses, card retaining lips at opposite edges of said card holders the lower lips being out from the body of the card holders, and cards detacha'bly mounted on the card holders by means of said lips and overlying part of said recesses, said tabs respectively engaging the ed es of the cards which span the recesses of ad acent card holders, thereby holding the cards and card holders in overlapped, spaced relation.

10. A card holder comprising a body of sheet material having laterally projecting ears; card retaining means, one or more reill) cesses in one margin, and a su porting and spacing tab or tabs projecting fi om the body of the card holder near the inner edge or edges of the recess or recesses.

11. A card holder comprising a body of sheet material having laterally projecting cars adjacent to one edge of the body, card retaining means, one or more recesses in the margin on which the ears are located, and a supporting and spacing tab or tabs projecting from the body of the card holder near the inner edge or edges of the recess or recesses.

12. A card holder comprising a body of sheet material having laterally projecting ears, one or more recesses in one margin, a card retaining lip at the same margin, a card retaining lip of transparent sheet material extending along the opposite margin, and a supporting and spacing tab or tabs projecting from the body of the card holder near the inner edge or edges of the recess or recesses.

13. A card holder comprising a body of sheet material having laterally projecting ears, card retaining means, one or more recesses in one margin, and a tab or tabs of sheet material folded over the inner edge of the recess or recesses and secured to the body of the card holder.

ll. A card holder comprising a body of sheet material having laterally projecting ears, card retaining means, one or more recesses having flaring open ends in the lower margin, and a supporting and spacing tab or tabs projecting from the body of the card holder near the inner edge or edges of the recess or recesses.

15. A card holder comprising a body of sheet material having laterally projecting ears, card retaining lips at opposite edges of the card holder the lower 11p being cut from the body of the card holder, one or more recesses having flaring open ends in the lower margin, and a supporting and spacing tab or tabs projecting from the body of the card holder near the inner edge or edges of the recess or recesses.

16. A composite index element comprising a card holder of sheet material having laterally projecting ears, card retaining means, one or more recesses in one margin, sup orting and spacing tabs pro ecting from the ody of the card older near the inner copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. 0.

edge or edges of the recesses, and a card overlying the card holder and detachably secured thereto by said card retaining means, said card spanning said recesses and forming with the card holder a composite index element with projecting ears.

17. A composite index element comprising a card holder of sheet material having laterally projecting ears, card retaining means, one or more recesses in one margin, supporting and spacing tabs of sheet material. folded over the inner edge of the re cess or recesses and secured to the body of the card holder, and a card overlying the card holder and detachably secured thereto by said card retaining means, said card spanning said recesses and forming with the card holder a composite index element with projecting ears.

A composite index element comprising a card holder of sheet material having laterally projecting ears, one or more recesses in one margin, supporting and spacing tabs projecting from the body of the card holder near the inner edge or edges of the recesses, a card retaining lip at the edge of the card holder which has the recesses, a card retaining lip of transparent sheet material eXtendin along the margin opposite the first name card retaining lip, and a card overlying the card holder and detachably secured thereto by said card retainin lips, said card spannin the recesses an for-min with the card holder a composite index 5611161113 with projecting ears.

19. A composite index element comprising a card holder of sheet material having laterally projecting cars, a pair of recesses in one margin, su porting and spacing tabs of sheet material olded over the inner edge of the recesses and secured to the body of the card holder, a card retaining lip at the edge of the card holder between the recesses, a card retaining lip of transparent sheet material extending alon the margin opposite the first named card retaining lip and a card overlying the card holder an detachably secured thereto by saidcaxrd retaining lips, said card spanning the recesses and forming with the card holder a composite index element with projecting ears.

Signed by me at Boston Massachusetts, this 8th day of October, 191%.

JAMES H; RAND.

"Commissioner of Patents, 

